bought on impulse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bought on impulse" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a purchase made spontaneously without prior planning or consideration. Example: "I didn't really need a new pair of shoes, but I bought them on impulse while shopping downtown."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Upstairs, a marble landing separates the master suite, which has a marble bath with a rain shower, a separate soaking tub and north-facing windows with automatic shades, from the second bedroom, which faces Washington Street and has an en-suite marble bathroom with an oversize rain shower with one wall built from a slab of silver granite Mr. Abbas bought on impulse.

The New York Times

"Before the crisis, consumers didn't feel depressed — people still bought on impulse," said Mr. di Marco.

The New York Times

She rarely bought on impulse, though, because she knew exactly what she was after.

The New Yorker

"If people bought on impulse, their houses would look more like them.

The New York Times - Style

They are priced affordably so they can be bought on impulse.

The New York Times - Books

Peter Devine, 56, a landscape painter from TriBeCa, also bought on impulse.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

As one Paris analyst puts it, "consumers now buy on impulse," which means the shops are constantly having to stock up with new things.

The Economist

I buy on impulse, then bring them home and decide on combinations.

The New York Times

Rather than buy on impulse, they first use the Web to gather information and compare prices.

The New York Times - Tech

"Things like home mortgages have a lower success rate than things you'd buy on impulse.

The New York Times - Tech

In this way, retailers can tap into the key segment of consumers who buy on impulse.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about consumer behavior or personal anecdotes, using the phrase "bought on impulse" can effectively convey the spontaneity and lack of planning involved in a purchase. It's particularly useful when contrasting impulsive buys with planned purchases.

Common error

While "bought on impulse" is generally acceptable, avoid excessive use in highly formal or academic writing. Consider more formal alternatives like "made an impulsive purchase" or "acquired spontaneously" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bought on impulse" functions as a descriptive phrase, often acting as an adverbial modifier to a verb. As seen in Ludwig, it details the manner in which an action (buying) was performed.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "bought on impulse" accurately describes a spontaneous, unplanned purchase, and according to Ludwig AI, is considered grammatically correct. While not overly formal, it's a useful phrase in general writing, particularly when discussing consumer habits or personal anecdotes. Though frequently found in news and media, writers should consider alternatives like "purchased impulsively" or ""made an impulse buy"" in more formal contexts. Understanding the context and intended audience is key to effectively using this descriptive phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

purchased impulsively

Replaces the phrase with a single adverb, emphasizing the manner of purchasing.

made an impulse buy

Uses a noun phrase to describe the action, rather than a verb phrase.

purchased spontaneously

Emphasizes the unplanned nature of the purchase.

bought without thinking

Highlights the lack of consideration before buying.

acquired on a whim

Suggests the purchase was driven by a sudden desire.

snapped up impulsively

Implies a quick and eager purchase.

grabbed without hesitation

Emphasizes the immediate and decisive nature of the purchase.

succumbed to an impulse purchase

Highlights the feeling of yielding to a desire.

splurged unexpectedly

Focuses on the aspect of spending more than planned.

induldged in an impulse buy

Emphasizes the self-gratifying aspect of the unplanned purchase.

FAQs

What does "bought on impulse" mean?

It means purchasing something spontaneously, without planning or thinking about it beforehand. It implies a sudden decision driven by immediate desire.

How can I use "bought on impulse" in a sentence?

You can say, "I "made an impulse buy"" or "I saw it and "purchased spontaneously"". For example, "I bought the book on impulse while browsing in the store."

What's a synonym for "bought on impulse"?

Synonyms include "purchased impulsively", "bought without thinking", or "acquired on a whim", all indicating a lack of prior planning.

Is it correct to say "buy on impulse"?

Yes, but it's generally used in the present or future tense. For past actions, "bought on impulse" is the correct form.